An objective, automated and robust scoring using fluorescence optical imaging to evaluate changes in micro-vascularisation indicating early arthritis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274593
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27T17:30:50Z
• Authors: Lukas Zerweck; Michaela Köhm; Phuong-Ha Nguyen; Gerd Geißlinger; Frank Behrens; Andreas Pippow
• Keywords: Feature (linguistics)

Fluorescence optical imaging technique (FOI) is a well-established and valid method for visualization of changes in micro vascularization at different organ systems. As increased an early feature joint inflammation, FOI promising to assess arthritis the hands. But usability limited assessors experience as measurement semi-quantitative using individual grading system such fluorescence activity score (FOIAS). The goal study was automatically thus, objectively analyze measured intensity generated by evaluate amount inflammation each subject’s joints focusing on distinction between normal status or psoriatic patients compared healthy volunteers. Due heterogeneity pathophysiological perfusion hands, overcome absoluteness data extracting heatmaps out image stacks developed. To calculate heatmap one patient, firstly time series pixel extracted, which then represented value. Secondly, all values are clustered. calculated cluster represent relativity pixels enable comparison multiple patients. metric quantify conspicuousness based extracted values. These steps repeated total number three features. With this tendency towards classification into unaffected inflamed can be achieved. However, further research necessary transform robust model.